REVIEW: BadBadNotGood – “BBNG2”

Coming out of the gutter of Toronto with covers of Odd Future tracks and a very hush hush identity, instrumental trio BadBadNotGood have now crafted a style and level of reinterpretation that’s almost like an elementary school bully taunting its weaker foes. BBNG2 provides proof there’s no one out there who can mimic them. Between their own barrage of mutilating jazz and hip-hop – from the distraught electronic soul of “CHSTR” to the tender, grim creep of “Vices” – they singled out a niche, which in return, shades them as actual musicians who differ from the next best Pink Floyd cover band. They are composers inclined to recreate. While BadBadNotGood’s originals do justice (the bracing beat of “UWM” will daze you), it’s the subtle additions to the recreations on BBNG2 that are exceptional. On “Limit To Your Love”, you can’t help but think James Blake’s croon will slither out to command the hummingbird-like drums that follow and when the Tyler, The Creator/Gucci Mane shot “Bastard / Lemonade” delivers its prime breakdown moment, you’re left wondering how anything can be that perfect. The unison plays a major a part – as the release was recorded in one 10-hour session – and implodes with two-minute saxophone solos, raucous 1940s’ jazz club rhythms and tranquil keys that belong on a Silversun Pickups LP. The album has its moments, where confusion intervenes and wakes you up, but jazz, and even instrumentals, have never been this accessible.

Download: “Vices”, “Flashing Lights”, “UWM (feat. Leland Witty”

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